(DDM) – A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an urgent motion by the Nigeria Police Force seeking to block Monday’s planned “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest near the Presidential Villa.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that Justice Umar dismissed the police’s ex parte application, ruling that activist Omoyele Sowore must first be served a formal notice before any decision restricting the protest can be made.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had approached the court claiming the planned demonstration could disrupt public order and security in the high-profile area surrounding Aso Rock Villa.
However, Justice Umar ruled that such claims were insufficient to justify restraining a lawful gathering without hearing from the other party involved.
The court’s decision effectively cleared the way for the protest to proceed as scheduled, pending a full hearing on Tuesday.
Reacting to the ruling, Omoyele Sowore described the judgment as “a clear victory for democracy, civil rights, and freedom of expression.”
He assured supporters that the planned rally would remain peaceful and within the bounds of the law, emphasizing that Nigerians had a constitutional right to demand justice.
The protest, titled “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now,” seeks the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 after being re-arrested abroad and extradited to Nigeria under controversial circumstances.
His prolonged detention, despite multiple court orders granting bail, has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups and international observers who accuse the Nigerian government of violating due process.
Sowore, who leads the campaign for Kanu’s release, said the rally symbolizes a broader fight for justice and accountability in Nigeria’s democratic space.
He noted that silencing peaceful protests only worsens public distrust and erodes the spirit of constitutional freedom guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
According to DDM findings, security forces had increased surveillance around Abuja’s central district ahead of the protest, though Sowore’s supporters insist their movement is peaceful and rooted in lawful advocacy.
Observers note that the court’s decision reaffirms the principle that freedom of assembly cannot be arbitrarily curtailed by security agencies.
Legal analysts also hailed the judgment as a reminder that democracy thrives only when citizens are allowed to voice dissent without fear of intimidation.
The Free Nnamdi Kanu Now campaign continues to gather support across Nigeria’s South-East and diaspora communities, where calls for Kanu’s release have grown louder.
Justice Umar’s ruling is expected to set a precedent for how Nigerian courts handle future attempts by authorities to suppress civic demonstrations.